Week 5 Discussion 1

“Week 5 Discussion” Please respond to the following:

Suggest two (2) staffing strategies that organizations can utilize to maintain sustainability and minimize the impact of a significant percentage of the workforce approaching retirement age. Support your rationale with specific examples of such strategies.

Strategy 1 – Increasing Flexibility – A large number of Baby Boomers are preparing for and entering into retirement, organizations are at risk of a massive loss of intellectual capital. Employers are beginning to explore various creative means to capture and transfer older workers’ knowledge and understanding of workforce tasks. Understand the specific needs of older workers. From desiring more flexible work arrangement to requiring additional hours away from the workplace to assist aging parents, retaining older workers requires extra sensitivity and diligence from HR.

Strategy 2 – Intergenerational – Younger workers may have resentment toward older workers who decide to remain working at retirement age (usually 65). Employers should create ways to improve communications between multiple generations to help mitigate conflicts. Formalize knowledge transfer between generations. For example: Mentoring programs, videotaping seasoned workers performing tasks, to younger employee showing older ones on the job. Training workers of any age in new skills that may increase their engagement and sense of commitment to the organization.

Cited:

SHRM Foundation www.shrm.org The Aging Workforce